On February 16, 2026, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov received Director of the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe Hans Kluge, who arrived in Turkmenistan on a visit.

Expressing sincere gratitude for the opportunity to meet in person, Hans Kluge presented the head of state with a special WHO award “For Contribution to the Promotion of Peace, Unity, and Health Diplomacy”. This award was given for Turkmenistan’s consistent efforts to strengthen peace, solidarity, and international cooperation and for developing health diplomacy in partnership with the WHO and the UN.

The WHO Regional Director for Europe also congratulated President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on Turkmenistan’s chairmanship of the Commonwealth of Independent States in 2026 and on declaring this year the “Year of Health Protection in the Commonwealth”.

Thanking for the kind words, the head of state noted that he accepts this award as recognition of the World Health Organization’s high praise for the work carried out in our country’s healthcare system and the results achieved.

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov also expressed confidence that the international seminar “High-Level Dialogue on Global Health Diplomacy”, which Hans Kluge will participate in as part of his visit to Turkmenistan, will provide an opportunity to discuss the state of cooperation and constructively exchange views in this area.

As noted during the meeting, protecting public health is a priority for Turkmenistan’s state policy. In this regard, large-scale reforms are being consistently implemented to comprehensively develop and improve the national healthcare system.

Turkmenistan is also successfully implementing measures to promote healthy lifestyle principles, develop physical education and sports, promote healthy eating, and combat tobacco use. The World Health Organization is a reliable and long-term partner for Turkmenistan in these areas.

In this regard, the head of state confirmed Turkmenistan’s readiness, based on its accumulated positive experience, to continue to expand fruitful cooperation with the WHO.

At the end of the meeting, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and World Health Organization Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge expressed their best wishes to each other.